The Calculator

Something I’ve always struggled with is letting the negative and nasty comments of others define how I feel about myself. (SO GUILTY!) How many of us have done that though? Raise your hand! Don’t leave me alone in this, raise them up!

Most recently, I shared very publicly on social media a message from someone on a dating website–my response is in blue 🙂

In the past, I would have cried all day long. All weekend long. I wouldn’t have even answered. I would have hid in the shell of my body and let him walk all over me. But now I am above that. Now I have control. Now I am strong enough to have a say. Some may argue that I shouldn’t have even responded. I disagree. Being silent would have let him win and I’ve worked way too damn hard to let that happen. He totally deserved that!

I can also remember when a Canisius employee asked me when I was due during my junior year of college–actually if I was having twins. Not to mention the comment my second-grader made that started this lifestyle change for me. (That had a positive outcome) All of those comments have an impact. They sting. Salt in the wound. BUT–

The instances and comments don’t even matter to me anymore it’s all in the learning how to react to them that does. I found this quote recently

I want it tattooed on my forehead actually. No for real. Just stop. Pause. Think about it. “If you want to IMPROVE your self-worth stop giving other people the calculator.” HOW GENIUS IS THAT? It went off in my brain like a light-bulb, a spark, a firework, whatever, something explosive! Universes colliding! It’s so so true!

WHY IN THE WORLD was I going to let someone else’s comment about my appearance define me?!

Thinking about it now, I ask myself, “What do they know?” “They don’t even know me.They have no idea what I’ve been through.” So why why why give that person the time of day let alone allow that person to impact your value. (See amazing quote above) Seriously though, the people that say these mean things to us like, “Oh, do you need that second cookie?” “You look heavy to me.” GREAT. Is it your body? NO. You have ZERO say. There is clearly something wrong with YOU. Something YOU are struggling with and you don’t need to dump that issue into my lap. Thanks.

But for real. The idea for this blog also stemmed from a podcast from Chalene Johnson that was titled, “Never Call a Kid Fat.” It’s really good so I had to post it here! Go listen or read the transcript! —Never Call A Kid Fat

Basically, what I took from that podcast is that WE ARE THE ROLE MODELS. Children or not–we must DO BETTER. Once a comment is made to a child about their body image it stays with them FOR LIFE. They bury it deep inside of themselves, letting it eat away at their soul. Hello, someone made a comment to me when I was younger. IT HAPPENS.

At the same time, we also need to treat ourselves better. We need to know our own worth and realize that we are beautiful and capable of GREAT things! Know who you are, stand your ground and don’t let anyone dull your sparkle. That’s my new motto! 🙂 I am planning to create a Facebook page around this idea of positive self-talk, body image and embracing ourselves for who we are. It’s going to be epic and I can’t wait for you to join in the movement! ❤ Dream Big. Get Fit. Love you all!